Film affixing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A film affixing apparatus is used for affixing a film to a workpiece. The film affixing apparatus includes a stand, a film provider, and an affixing and cutting device. The stand includes a work platform. The workpiece is capable of sliding around the work platform under an external force. The film provider is mounted to the stand, and a roll of film is mounted to the film provider to dispense the film. The affixing and cutting device includes a pressing part. The pressing part presses the film onto the workpiece, and the film is cut, allowing the workpiece to slide away from the affixing and cutting device and be removed manually.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a film affixing technology, particularly to a film affixing apparatus for automatically affixing a protective film to an object.

2. Description of Related Art

Surfaces of devices or components may include an outer film layer for preventing damage to the surfaces, such as scratches, devices or components. However, the film is typically affixed to the device or the component manually, which is time consuming.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a film affixing apparatus with loaders in accordance with an embodiment. The film affixing apparatus includes a work platform, an affixing device, and an affixing and cutting device.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the film affixing apparatus in FIG. 1 with one of the loaders separated from it.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the work platform in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is the film affixing apparatus in FIG. 1 viewed from another aspect.

FIG. 5 is the film affixing apparatus in FIG. 4 viewed from another aspect.

FIG. 6 is a view of the film affixing apparatus in FIG. 1 with the affixing device and the affixing and cutting device separated from it.

FIG. 7 is the affixing device in FIG. 6 viewed from another aspect.

FIG. 8 is the affixing and cutting device in FIG. 6 viewed from another aspect.

FIG. 9 is the affixing and cutting device in FIG. 8 viewed from another aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a film affixing apparatus 100. The film affixing apparatus 100 affixes a film to workpieces 99. Each workpiece 99 includes a rectangular top surface 990, two parallel first sidewalls 991, and two parallel second sidewalls 992. The first sidewalls 991 and the second sidewalls 992 are adjacent to the top surface 990. The top surface 990, the first surface 991, and the second surface 992 need to be covered with films.

The film affixing apparatus 100 includes a stand 10, loaders 20, a film provider 40, an affixing device 50, an affixing and cutting device 60, an operating box 70, and a control box 80. The loader 20, the film provider 40, the affixing device 50, the affixing and cutting device 60, the operating box 70, and the control box 80 are mounted to the stand 10.

The loaders 20 include two positioning parts 21 not attached to each other. Each positioning part 21 positions one workpiece 99.

The stand 10 includes a top frame 11, a work frame 12, a holding frame 13, two first legs 14, two second legs 15, a work platform 16, a holding platform 17, and four supporting stands 18. The top frame 11, the work frame 12, and the holding frame 13 are parallel to each other, and the work frame 12 is located between the top frame 11 and the holding frame 13. The work frame 12 and the holding frame 13 are the same size, and a width of the top frame 11 is smaller than a width of the work frame 12. The two first legs 14 are connected to the top frame 11, the work frame 12 and the holding frame 13 and are arranged on the same side of them. The two second legs 15 are connected to the work frame 12 and the holding frame 13 and are opposite to the two first legs 14. The four supporting stands 18 are arranged under the holding frame 13 to stand off from the floor. The holding platform 17 is rectangular and placed on the holding frame 13. The work platform 16 is rectangular and placed on the work frame 12.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the work platform 16. Two first blocking bars 160, two second blocking bars 161, and a third blocking bar 162 are arranged on one surface of the work platform 20 away from the holding platform 17. The two first blocking bars 160 are parallel to each other. The two second blocking bars 161 are parallel to each other and are connected between the first blocking bars 160. The second blocking bars 161 and the first blocking bars 160 cooperatively define a rectangular work region 163. The third blocking bar 162 is positioned in the middle of the work region 163 and is parallel to the first blocking bars 160. The third blocking bar 162 is shorter than the first blocking bars 160, such that opposite distal ends of the third blocking bars 162 are separated from the two second blocking bars 161. The third blocking bar 162 divides the work region 163 into an operating region 1630 and a waiting region 1632 for receiving the loaders 20. The operating region 1630 is on the side of work platform 16 connected to the first legs 14. The operating region 1630 and the waiting region 1632 are symmetrical with respect to the third blocking bar 162. The operating region 1630 is capable of receiving four loaders 20 and includes a first end 1631 and a second end 1633 opposite to the first end 1631. The waiting region 1632 includes a third end 1635 and a fourth end 1637 opposite to the third end 1635. The first end 1631 and the third end 1635 meet each other, and each of them receives one loader 20. The second end 1633 and the fourth end 1637 meet each other, and each of them receives one loader 20.

The work platform 16 has a first work station 164 a, a second work station 164 b, and a mounting part 166 and defines a first opening 165 a, a second opening 165 b, a third opening 165 c, and a fourth opening 165 d. The first opening 165 a, the second opening 165 b, the first work station 164 a, and the second work station 164 b are arranged in the operating region 1630. The first and the second work stations 164 a and 164 b meet each other, and each of them receives one loader 20. The work platform 16 receives one loader 20 between the first work station 164 a and the first end 1631. The second work station 164 b is positioned in the second end 1633. The first opening 165 a and the second opening 165 b are rectangular and are defined in the first end 1631 and the second end 1633, respectively. The first opening 165 a runs along a first direction X parallel to the first blocking bars 160. The second opening 165 b runs along a second direction Y parallel to the second bars 161. The third opening 165 c is defined in the waiting region 1632. The fourth opening 165 d is defined in the fourth end 1637. The mounting part 166 is a rectangular board and protrudes from one side of the first work station 164 a adjacent to the operating region 1630 and extends from the first work station 164 a to the second work station 164 b.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a first driving device 167, a second driving device 168, and a sensor 169 are further set on the work platform 16. The first driving device 167 and the second driving device 168 are arranged on the other surface of the work platform 16 as the first blocking bars 160. The first driving device 167 drives the loaders 20 to move along the first direction X parallel to the first blocking bars 160, and the second driving device 168 drives the loaders 20 to move along the second direction Y parallel to the second blocking bars 161.

The first driving device 167 includes a first driving body 1670, a first driving arm 1671, and a first driving block 1672. The first driving body 1670 is adjacent to the first opening 165 a, the first driving arm 1671 extends along the length of the first opening 165 a, and the first driving block 1672 is received in the first opening 165 a. The first driving block 1672 is secured on an end of the first driving arm 1671 away from the first driving body 1670. The first driving body 1670 drives the first driving arm 1671 to extend and retract along the first opening 165 a, causing the driving block 1672 to move toward and away from the second end 1633 along the first direction X (see FIG. 3). In its original state, the first driving block 1672 is positioned in the end of the first opening 165 a away from the second end 1633, such that the first driving block 1672 abuts a side of the loader away from the second end 1633. The first driving block 1672 pushes the loader 20 towards the second end 1633 as the first driving arm 1671 is caused to move along the first direction X towards the second end 1633.

The second driving device 168 includes a second driving body 1680, a second driving arm 1681, and a second driving block 1682. The second driving body 1680 is adjacent to the second opening 165 b. The second driving arm 1681 is connected to the second driving body 1680 and extends along the length of the second opening 165 b. The second driving block 1682 is fixed on the end of the second driving arm 1681 away from the second driving body 1680 and is received in the second opening 165 b. The second driving body 1680 drives the second driving arm 1681 to extend and retract along the second direction Y (see FIG. 3), causing the second driving block 1682 to move towards and away from the fourth end 1637. In its original state, the second driving block 1682 is positioned in the end of the second opening 165 b away from the fourth end 1637. The second driving block 1682 abuts a side of the loader 20 away from the fourth end 1637 so that the second driving block 1682 pushes the loader 20 toward the fourth end 1637 when the second driving arm 1681 is caused to move along the second direction Y toward the fourth end 1637.

The sensor 169 is located in the fourth opening 165 d to detect whether or not the loader 20 or any other object is positioned in the fourth end 1637.

Referring to FIGS. 1,2 and 6, the film provider 40 and the affixing device 50 are arranged over the operating region 1630 to face the first work station 164 a. The affixing device 50 is adjacent to the film provider 40 away from the first end 1631. The film provider 40 includes a hanging member 41 and a stretching member 42. The hanging member 41 includes a supporting element 410 and a hanging element 412. The supporting element 410 protrudes upwards from one side of the mounting part 166 away from the platform 16. The hanging element 412 is cuboid and extends perpendicularly from one end of the supporting element 410 away from the mounting part 166. Four ribs 4120 protrude from four side surfaces of the hanging element 412. Three tabs 4121 protrude from the opposite ends and the middle of each rib 4120 so as to divide the hanging element 412 into a first hanging portion 4122 and a second hanging portion 4123. The first hanging portion 4122 and the second hanging portion 4123 are sleeved by two rolls of films 413, which unwind straight down.

The stretching member 42 includes a first stretching element 420, a second stretching element 421, and a connecting element 423. The first stretching element 420 and the second stretching element 421 are rollers and are substantially the same. The first stretching element 420 and the second stretching element 421 perpendicularly project from one side of the mounting part 166 and are parallel to the hanging element 412. The first stretching element 420 is positioned between the second stretching element 421 and the hanging element 412. The middle of the first stretching element 420 defines a groove 4201, and the middle of the second stretching element 421 defines a groove 4211. The connecting element 423 includes a first rectangular base 4230 and a second rectangular base 4231 that extends from one end of the first base 4230. The first base 4230 is connected to one end of the second stretching element 421 away from the mounting part 166, while the second base 4231 is connected to one end of the first stretching element 420 away from the mounting part 166. The two rolls of the films 413 spread over and cover the first stretching element 420 and the second stretching element 421 and winds around the affixing device 50, such that the film 413 is tightened via the first stretching element 420 and the second stretching element 421. Furthermore, the two rolls of the films 423 remain separate from each other via the grooves 4201 and 4211.

Referring to FIG. 7, the affixing device 50 faces the first work station 164 a and includes a fixing board 51, two first connecting poles 52, a second connecting pole 56, a mounting case 53, and five first rollers 54. The fixing board 51 is parallel to the work platform 16 and is fastened to the mounting part 166. The first connecting poles 52 and the second connecting pole 56 are mounted between the fixing board 51 and the mounting case 53. The first connecting poles 52 and the second connecting pole 56 are columnar, and a diameter of the first connecting pole 52 is smaller than a diameter of the second connecting pole 56. The first connecting poles 52 and the second connecting pole 56 are arranged in a line, and the first connecting poles 52 are symmetrically arranged on either side of the second connecting pole 56. The mounting case 53 includes a top portion 530 and two side boards 531 extending from two opposite sides of the top portion 530. The two side boards 531 are parallel to the mounting part 166. The second connecting pole 56 is positioned in the middle of the top portion 530 to balance the mounting case 53. The first rollers 54 are columnar and have the same size. Each first roller 54 is rotatably connected between the side boards 531, and each first roller 54 is perpendicular to the mounting board 166. The five first rollers 54 are arranged in a plane and rise above the side boards 531 to form a pressing portion 540 parallel to the work platform 16. The pressing portion 540 faces the first work station 164 a. The loaders 20 loading the workpieces 99 pass under the first rollers 54 one by one, allowing the pressing portion 540 to press the film 413 onto the top surfaces 990.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the affixing and cutting device 60 faces the second work station 164 b and includes a securing board 61, a third driving device 62, two parallel third connecting poles 68, an installing part 63, a blocking casing 64, and four second rollers 65. The blocking casing 64 includes two first parallel blocking boards 641 and a second blocking board 642 connected between the first blocking boards 641. The first blocking boards 641 are secured on the mounting part 166 via screws (not shown), and one of the first blocking board 641 is adjacent to the affixing device 50. The second blocking board 642 is parallel to the mounting part 166. The securing board 61 is rectangular and is parallel to the work platform 16. Two ends of the securing board 61 are fastened to the middle of the two first blocking boards 641, and one side of the securing board 61 is fastened to the mounting part 166. The third driving device 62 includes a third driving body 620 and a third driving arm 621 connected to the third driving body 620. The third driving body 620 is mounted on a side of the securing board 61 away from the work platform 166. The driving arm 621 extends through the securing board 61 to connect to the installing part 63. One end of the third connecting poles 68 is connected to the securing board 61, and the third connecting poles 68 are symmetrically positioned at opposite sides of the driving arm 621. The other end of the third connecting poles 68 is connected to the installing part 63. The installing part 63 includes a rectangular first base board 630 parallel to the securing board 61 and two parallel second base boards 631 perpendicularly mounted to the first based board 630. The first base board 630 is connected to the driving arm 621 and the third connecting poles 68, and the driving arm 621 is connected to the middle of the base board 630. From each second base board 631 projects four bearings 632 that correspond with each other. The bearings 632 on each second base board 631 are divided into two identical pairs. A pressing block 66 protrudes between each pair of bearings 632. The second base board 631 adjacent to the affixing device 50 has a blade 634 protruding toward the work platform 16. The four second rollers 65 are columnar and identical. The two ends of each second roller 65 connects to corresponding bearings 632, such that the four second roller 65 are also divided into two pairs. Axes of the four second rollers 65 are parallel to the mounting part 166 and perpendicular to the axes of the first rollers 54. Each pair of second rollers 65 cooperatively forms a hollow pressing part 67 with a pressing block 66. A distance between oppositely-facing pressing blocks 66 is the same as a distance between the two second sidewalls 992 of each workpiece 99, and a distance between each pair of second rollers 65 is the same as a distance between the two first sidewalls 991, such that each pressing part 67 can receive one workpiece 99 so that the first sidewalls 991 resist against the two second rollers 65, and the second sidewalls 992 resist again the two pressing blocks 66. In its original state, the installing part 63 is away from the work platform 16. The installing part 63 moves along with the driving arm 621 to move the pressing parts 67 toward the work platform 16.

The control box 80 is arranged on the holding member 17 for controlling the first driving device 167 and the second driving device 168 to enable the affixing device 50 to affix film 143 to the workpieces 99. The control box 80 pauses when the sensor 169 detects an object.

The operating box 70 is secured in the third opening 165 c to control the control box 80. The control box 70 includes a start button 71, a stop button 72, and an indicator 73. The start button 71 is pressed to start the control box 80. The stop button 72 is pressed to stop the control box 80. The indicator 73 informs the operator if the film affixing apparatus 100 is abnormal, allowing the operator to stop the control box 80 by pressing the stop button 72 or placing an object in the fourth end 1637.

In operation, the waiting region 1632 is fully filled with the loaders 20, and each loader 20 loads two workpieces 99. There is no loader 20 positioned in the operating region 1630. The film 413 spreads over the first stretching element 420 and the second stretching element 421 in a third direction x1 parallel to the first direction X, extends in a fourth direction x2 (see FIG. 4) opposite to the third direction x1 to locate between the second stretching element 421 and the work platform 16, and passes out of the affixing and cutting device 60 along the fourth direction x2. A first loader 20 positioned at the third end 1635 is manually pulled to the first end 1631. Next, the start button 71 is pressed, and the control box 80 controls the first driving body 1670 to drive the first driving arm 1672 to move a predetermined first distance equal to the length of the loader 20 along the first direction X, such that the first driving block 1672 pushes the first loader 20 towards the first work station 164 a. Next, a second loader 20 is pulled from the waiting region 1632 to the first end 1631, the start button 71 is pressed, and the control box 80 controls the first driving block 1672 to move the predetermined first distance so as to push the second loader 20, which pushes the first loader 20 into the first work station 164 a and under the film 413. The pressing portion 540 presses the film 413 onto the top surfaces 990 of the two workpieces 99 loaded on the first loader 20, and the film 413 is affixed to the top surface 990. Next, a third loader 20 is pulled from the waiting region 163 to the first end 1631, the start button 71 is pressed, the control box 80 controls the first driving block 1672 to move the first predetermined distance so as to push the third loader 20, which pushes the second loader 20 into the first work station 164 a under the film 413 and the first loader 20 into the second work station 164 b under the film 413. Then, the control box 80 controls the third driving body 1620 to drive the driving arm 1621 to extend a second predetermined distance to push the pressing part 67 towards the work platform 16, and the second rollers 65 and each pair of the pressing blocks 66 press the film 143 onto the first sidewalls 991 and the second sidewalls 992 of each workpiece 99, and the blade 634 cuts the film 413. This process is repeated until the first loader 20 is positioned at the second end 1633. At this point, the control box 80 controls the second driving body 1680 to drive the second driving arm 1681 to push the first loader 20 a third predetermined distance along the second direction Y into the fourth end 1637, allowing the first loader 20 to be easily removed from the work platform 16. Then the control box 80 controls the second driving arm 1681 to return to its original state. This ends the process for the first loader 20. The workpieces 99 loaded onto the subsequent loaders 20 are affixed with the film 413 according to the above operations.

As described above, the film affixing apparatus 100 automatically affixes the film to the workpieces 99 more conveniently than a manual method. Further, the film affixing apparatus 100 can affix film 413 to two workpieces 99 at a time, which improves the efficiency.

Even though relevant information and the advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the functions of the present embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A film affixing apparatus for affixing a film to a workpiece, the workpiece comprising a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface, the film affixing apparatus comprising: a stand with a work platform, the workpiece being capable of sliding on the work platform under an external force; a film provider mounted to the stand, and a roll of film mounted to the film provider to dispense the film, and an affixing and cutting device, comprising a pressing part, the film passing between the pressing part and the work platform, the pressing part being controlled to move to the work platform to receive the workpiece and pressing the film to the sidewall of the workpiece when the workpiece slides to the affixing and cutting device, the pressing part being controlled to move away from the work platform when the workpiece slides away from the affixing and cutting device.
 2. The film affixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the affixing and cutting device further comprises a mounting part, the pressing part comprises a pair of first rollers secured on the mounting part and parallel to each other, the workpiece is received between the first rollers and the sidewall is pressed by the first rollers, the first rollers rotates when the pressing part moves to the work platform and the workpiece is received between the rollers.
 3. The film affixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the affixing and cutting device further comprises a mounting part, the pressing part comprises a pair of pressing block secured on the mounting part and facing each other, the workpiece is received between the pressing blocks, and the sidewall is pressed by the pressing block.
 4. The film affixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sidewall comprises a pair of parallel first sidewalls and a pair of parallel second sidewalls, the affixing and cutting device further comprises a mounting part, the work pressing part comprises a pair of pressing blocks and a pair of first rollers, the first rollers are secured on the mounting part and parallel to each other, the workpiece is received between the first rollers and the first sidewalls are pressed by the first rollers, the pressing blocks are secured on the mounting part and between the first rollers, the pressing blocks face each other, the workpiece is received between the pressing blocks, and the second sidewalls are pressed by the pressing block.
 5. The film affixing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an affixing device, the workpiece sliding to the affixing device and the affixing and cutting device in that order, the affixing device comprising a pressing portion, the pressing portion moving to the work platform to press the film onto the top surface of the workpiece when the workpiece moves to the affixing device, and moving away from the work platform when the workpiece move away from the affixing device.
 6. The film affixing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the affixing device comprises a mounting casing, and at least one second roller rotatably mounted to the mounting casing, the mounting casing is mounted to the stand and above the work platform, the circumference surface of the at least one second roller protrudes out of the mounting casing to form the pressing portion, and the at least one second roller rotates when the workpiece passes the affixing device.
 7. The film affixing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the film winds the film provider, the workpiece affixed film slides away from the affixing device to the affixing and cutting device to cause the film to unwind.
 8. The film affixing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the affixing device comprises a mounting casing, and a plurality of second rollers rotatably mounted to the mounting casing, the mounting casing is mounted to the stand and above the work platform, the second rollers are parallel, circumference surfaces of the plurality of the second rollers protrude out of the mounting casing to form the pressing portion, and the plurality of the rollers rotates during the workpiece slides to pass the pressing portion.
 9. The film affixing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of the second rollers are arranged on a plane.
 10. A film affixing apparatus, for affixing a film to a workpiece, the workpiece comprising a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface, the film affixing apparatus comprising: a stand with a work platform, the workpiece being capable of sliding on the work platform under an external force; a film provider mounted to the stand, a roll of film mounted to the film provider to dispense the film a affixing device comprising a pressing portion; and an affixing and cutting device comprising a pressing part; wherein the film passes the pressing portion and the pressing part in that order and face the work platform; the workpiece slides to the affixing device and the affixing and cutting device in that order; and the pressing portion presses the film to the top surface of the workpiece when the workpiece slides to the affixing device, and the pressing part presses the film to the sidewall of the workpiece when the workpiece slides to the affixing and cutting device.
 11. The film affixing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pressing part is controlled to move to the work platform to receive the workpiece and presses the film onto the sidewall of the workpiece when the workpiece slides to the affixing and cutting device, the pressing part is controlled to move away from the work platform when the workpiece slides away from the affixing and cutting device.
 12. The film affixing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the affixing and cutting device further comprises a mounting part, the pressing part comprises a pair of first rollers secured on the mounting part and parallel to each other, the workpiece is received between the first rollers and the sidewall is pressed by the first rollers, the first rollers rotates when the pressing part moves to the work platform and the workpiece is received between the rollers.
 13. The film affixing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the affixing and cutting device further comprises a mounting part, the pressing part comprises a pair of pressing block secured on the mounting part and facing each other, the workpiece is received between the pressing blocks, and the sidewall is pressed by the pressing block.
 14. The film affixing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the sidewall comprises a pair of parallel first sidewalls and a pair of parallel second sidewalls, the affixing and cutting device further comprises a mounting part, the work pressing part comprises a pair of pressing blocks and a pair of first rollers, the first rollers are secured on the mounting part and parallel to each other, the workpiece is received between the first rollers, and the first sidewalls are pressed by the first rollers, the pressing blocks are secured on the mounting part and between the first rollers, the pressing blocks face each other, the workpiece is received between the pressing blocks, and the second sidewalls are pressed by the pressing block.
 15. The film affixing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the affixing device comprises a mounting casing, and a second roller rotatably mounted to the mounting casing, the mounting casing is mounted to the stand and above the work platform, the circumference surface of the second roller protrudes out of the mounting casing to form the pressing portion, and rotates when the workpiece passes the affixing and cutting device.
 16. The film affixing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the film winds the film provider, the workpiece affixed film slides from the affixing device to the affixing and cutting device, to cause the film to unwinds.
 17. The film affixing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the affixing device comprises a mounting casing, and a plurality of second rollers rotatably mounted to the mounting casing, the mounting casing is mounted to the stand and above the work platform, the second rollers are parallel, circumference surfaces of the plurality of the second rollers protrude out of the mounting casing to form the pressing portion, and the plurality of the rollers rotates during the workpiece slides to pass the pressing portion.
 18. The film affixing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of the second rollers are arranged on a plane.
 19. The film affixing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the film provider comprises a stretching member, the stretching member enables the film to be tightened. 